Yesterday, I had the willpower to finally put Martha’s onesies, bibs and shoes in a box for selling. Better yet, I was finally able to part with Matthew’s Nike shoes since he was a baby (He had more than twenty). They were all put in a box for selling in an effort for me to get rid of clutter (again - didnt I just do that two months ago? We were able to fill 3 boxes, sell it and make money) and raise money for buying new stuff for the house.

It made my heart cringe a little. Despite the fact that I dont want a baby right now, I love having a baby in the house - it just brings so much joy to me - the smell, the smile, even the cries at night - it was just the right type of “busy” I need. Oh well, another three years and I can finally have another baby again.

The only baby stuff you will see now at our house are Martha’s bottles (which I need to replace by the way), her highchair and her stroller, which I plan to dispose of too and just get an umbroller. It is just more convenient. However, pushchairs will be more practical since when we go out, she can stay put and even sleep there (we get to swing some stuff on its handles too). The Hauck Icoo - Plasma 7 - Lollipop Red would be great for Martha, dont you think? When Martha was a baby, since she was the second child, she didnt have the privilege of having new baby cribs or
travel cots since most of them were hand-me-downs. I was also more practical because I knew Martha would be co-sleeping (I was determined to breastfeed). So I never planned to have a crib, I wanted a travel cot so she can sleep soundly when we go out, but she was a big baby and we never found one that she would be comfortable in. So the pushchair/stroller was the greatest investment we purchased - alongside my breastpump

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A Day in the Life

Originally uploaded by aggietha.

Glo couldnt have said it any better. She had the bird’s eyeview of what my life is like for just five minutes. This week has been tougher than the rest of the weeks ever since I stayed at home. I am having trouble with boy regarding discipline issues, claiming he is always bored and always roughing the little girl. I am having trouble keeping the little girl clothed (as you can see in the picture), and making her understand that she doesnt need to change clothes everytime she goes potty. She is also having crazy tantrums when she gets irritated when I dont get what she says immediately. I kept texting and making drama to the Daddy that this week was really BAD. And Im not known for making exagg (yeah right! LOL). Pero yes, this week was really bad….and I feel a scrap page coming.

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I have been reading N@W a lot these days. It seems that there are interesting threads to read about - primarily the GTKY Qs (Getting To Know You Q’s). Im a lurker at the group though so I prefer to answer the Qs here (Please feel free to snag this and post it in your blog, link me up if you are done so I can read!).

GETTING-TO-KNOW- YOU Qs

1. Name: Aggie A.

2. Spouse’s name: Edil A.

2a. What you call your spouse when you’re mad: Edilberto! (I call him by his name when Im irritated na)

3. Child/Children’ s name/s and age/s: Matthew Benedict - 7 years old | Martha Blythe - 2 years old

3a. Pet’s name/s and breed/s: The Queen of the House hates pets!

4. Wedding date/s: June 3, 2004 (Civil) | June 24, 2005 (Church) - We only celebrate the Church Wedding though.

4a. Your relation to the Best Man at your wedding: Brother-in-Law

4b. Your wedding souvenir: Refrigerator Magnets

5. Your birthday: February 16

5a. How many hours your mom was in labor with you: I think I was out two hours after she entered the delivery room.

6. Spouse’s birthday: January 28|29 — blame it on clerical error.

6a. what you guys did for his/her last birthday: I dont remember anymore. Ano ba yan, ulianin na.

7. Address / General location: Amadeo, Cavite

8. Your job / company / line of work: I stay at home, watch Barney, wash poo-poo on dimpled butts and kiss baby faces all day long.

9. Your spouse’s job / company / line of work: Sales - Pharmaceutical Company

10. Your school course : UST BSMT 2001

11. Your spouse’s school course : MIT BSME 2001

12. Your interests: digiscrapping, taking photographs, nice things

13. Business: (if you have) I am engaged in the business of making nonsense - hehehe (joke)

14. What part of the Philippines/ world are you from? Good Ole’ Manila

15. What part of the Philippines/ world is your spouse from? Ang mapayapang lugar ng Tondo

16. Last celebrity you saw in person: Sino nga ba - nakalimot na naman ako LOL. I saw Heart Evangelista, Aga Muhlach, John Llyod (gwapo pala eto no) at ABS before. We were drinking coffee whereelse but Starbucks.

17. The number of SMs (as in, Shoe Marts) you’ve been to: Five pa lang ata.

18. Social networking or blogging chuva you’re part of: Frienster, Multiply, MySpace — all of which are so not updated :P. I own several blogs - and if you know all of them — you have a freakingly good knowledge of what has been happening in my life

18a. Your IDs on those sites, if you want NaWies to find/add you: Find me na lang Im very easy to find!

19. Kapamilya o Kapuso? kaPUSO

20. Complete the sentence: One time I got drunk…that I can smell and taste alcohol 24 hours later. Yuck.

—–
And that is the end of the GTYK Qs

The other one that has gotten me interested was the thread about how much household expenses are nowadays - based from what I read, I think I have been doing a good job budgeting things (Money lang talaga problema). We are at the lower end of the budget consensus, and I think that has to do a lot with me going to the market every week now. Ill share more later when I get to have some free time but there was a nice Momma Stuff Question of the Week for that a while back — nice tips!

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Thanks Mai!

I get to 1) have cute and adorable kids 2) hear myself called Mommy 3) be the ONE who can chase monsters away and make booboos disappear 4) return to my Maker the gifts He gave me by making my children noble soldiers of God. BUT

Mai could not have said it any better - I have learned the real meaning of unconditional love.
(These things could never compare to the riches of the world, even mansions nor diamonds and luxury watches)

I get to share this too, I think this sums up what I feel about being a mom these days

My Mom never had this chance - to stay at home and really take care of us when we were kids. Though I understand why my mommy wasnt able to be the one to cook for us and tuck us in at night, I have always dreamed somewhere in my unconscious that I wanted my kids to not have the same fate. I guess when I was a kid I was somewhat jealous of all the kids I know who had mommies at home. When I became a mother, times were hard and circumstances left me with no choice but work to support the family.
We went through many maids. There were months that we needed to have the kids hauled off to my parents because there was no one to look after them and we needed to work. It was really tough - knowing there is really nothing you can do because you have no choice. Then we decided family needs to come first and we sacrificed a little -I quit my job, we moved to the province and we had to endure Daddy being gone on weekdays to work in the city. It was a small price to pay for such a huge prize - I get to be with you everyday. I get to be assured that you are well-fed, educated and taken cared of because I am here. It is a thankless "job". It is harder. It is scary to live in a one-income household. I dont know until when we can hold this. But right now, I am so thankful for being able to given the chance to stay home. And Im going to drench this experience as much, and as long, as I can.

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Here.

Do you have routines for your kids? Care to share? Does it really help?

I think I need to read the answers of mommies here because I still need to establish a very good schedule for the two kids (different age groups).

Let’s see:

5AM - 7AM: Mommy Wake Up Time. Me Time. Surf Time. Blog Time. If you want to chikka me, chikka me now :).

9AM: The kids wake up. I usually let them linger in bed for a couple of minutes, giving Martha a new dede. This is also the time usually assignments pour in so Im a bad Mommy I let them watch DVDs first

10AM: Breakfast. I let them eat rice.

Break - usually play. I take out clothes I will be letting them use for the day. Mato gets to pick his. I also discuss lunch with the maid.

12NN Lunch.

After lunch, I give Martha a bath. We dont have a tub yet but when get a house of our own, that would be a requirement. They like to walk in tubs!) Matthew follows. Then a round of DVD fest begins again. Because this is prelude to sleeping time.

1PM - 4PM Nap time. This is hard for me. I have weaned Martha for her chotchot ever since I resigned and I find it hard to lull her to sleep without a mega crying “AYAW” fest ensuing.

5PM Snack time. I let Matthew pick what he wants.

Random play. I usually let them watch Coffee Prince with me.

7PM Dinner Time.

After dinner, wash up time, put them into jammies. Watch Dyesebel.

9:30PM We try to sleep. But this becomes art time. Matthew practices his writing, reads, sings. Martha doodles, reads books. This extends until sleep time.

11PM - 12MN Sleep time. Im still trying to enforce a rule to lights out but the kids throw tantrums - very LOUD, nakakahiya sa kapitbahay tantrums - so I let them be. As Ive said, Im still trying to find a lulling way to replace the chot chot.

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…I have super nice bedding with protected sheets.

…The maid is back so I can somehow be focused in earning money and study for the NCLEX.

…We have COOKED (good) food kasi there is a cook, LOL. My eggplant craving is satisfied.

…I have Bath and Body Works everything. Plan to sell them off equivalent to what is offered ($10.50-P400) - anyone interested?

…Lost two pounds this week. My mom cant believe it. Total: 7lbs in 2.5 weeks

…Martha is turning two (and I hope, not terrible).

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Literally and figuratively

I read some highly entertaining and hot threads today over at N@W. And I was really itching to make it into a blog carnival so I can see my blog visits shoot up. Kaso wag na lang. Hahaha. Baka tarayan ako ni Apols. (Joke!).

Anyway, you dont know the question if you havent read the forum but Ill post my answer here.

We are a very healthy couple.
Period.

I dont think there should be a gauge unless there is something medically wrong - like they are trying to conceive, since every person has different innate standards.However, I personally believe that it is also a gauge if there is something wrong - whether it be they are both stressed, someone is being unfaithful or what have you.

Basta ang masasabi ko lang, malakas ang gut feel ng babae.
Go always with your gut feel.
And its perfectly OK to be the one who asks sometimes!
Mag-asawa na kayo eh!

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I was asked this question by Nice and Amore:

What is your Greatest Fear as a Mom?

I think it is pretty normal for mothers to have fears for their children. When you love someone that much, there is always the worry and fear of something bad happening to them.

I actually fear just one thing. I fear that I will not be able to raise them as strong-willed persons with a sense of fear in the Lord and persons with character. I don’t want them to grow up as spineless children, always needing me. Because there will come a time that I will no longer be there for them. I fear that I will not be able to give them everything they need to survive.

I’m actually very touchy when it comes to issues like these because my greatest fear is karma, you know. I have never been the most dutiful daughter. I fear that someday, my kids, most especially Martha, will go through what I went through. But I guess this is more fear for myself - that I will not be able to handle it.

For Matthew, I fear that as a mother raising a man who will be head of the family someday, I fear that I will not be able to instill to him characteristics necessary to be a man of character and faith. I want him to grow up respectful of women, responsible, caring. I want him to grow up as man Id be so proud to present to his wife. I want him to grow up as somebody I am so sure will do good. I fear that I wont be able to teach him everything.

For Martha, I fear that I may not be a friend to her when the time comes. All throughout my pregnancy, my greatest fear was that my daughter and I will never end up being close. I wanted to be a cool mom, you know, somebody Martha will tell everything to when the time comes. More than being her mom, I so wish to be her friend. I fear that one day, I might not be her friend. I fear that she will go through the same pain and trial I have to go through to be where I am right now. I fear she will get hurt.

Perhaps, that is a mother’s greatest fear no? For their children to get hurt. I remember my mom said before, “Bakit kelangan pa kayong masaktan para matuto?” And that is true. When I became a parent, I feel like I want to protect my kids from ALL pain. If I really can, I would. Simple nga lang ngaun eh, physical pain - naumpog, etc - isang kiss lang ni Mommy, wala na diba? But paano pag ibang pain na? Pain from a broken heart, pain from self-issue, pain from the realities of the world - a Mommy’s kiss, sadly, isnt enough for it to go away. How I wish when the time comes, isang sabi ko lang na, “Wala na ouchie, wala na.”, the ouchie will really go away.

*sigh*.
Naiyak naman ako sa topic na to

Id like to share a layout I made for Martha before, lagi kong line yun eh, “I always told myself I would not end up like my mother, but here I am, trying to be exactly like her.”

Read more… »

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The whole afternoon was spent thinking about our impending migration to the US and how I can be a stay at home mom. I worry about Matthew and Martha’s education knowing how expensive matriculation could be. My mom said home schooling can be an option. True. Home schooling will enable us to spend time together while getting good quality education and moral foundations. Then we can focus more on what matters most, family.

Would it not be nice to have free Home school? She showed me an article online talking about K-12 Free Homeschool. Here’s how it can be tuition-free. They offer tuition-free courses to US based students with the help of sponsorship from companies and NGOs. They also support moral foundation based on Christian teaching. Having come from a very catholic and religious family, imparting my religious belief and faith to my kids is part of my top priorities. While reading through their website I wonder though if they will have good programs as such from regular private Christian schools and lo and behold, their course catalog includes a comprehensive program that includes not only the usual academic courses but also arts, music and other cognitive skill enhancing courses such as Crime Scene Investigation. All that for FREE! Can you imagine? I need to check out the K-12FreeHomeschool.org Course Catalog now!

Technorati Tags: homeschool, homeschooling, mommy talks, Free Homeschool

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I have saved this show from Oprah in my drafts folder for quite some time. I have been meaning to write an entry about it ever since but really havent gotten to writing any of it up until now.

My cousin and I were exchanging e-mails at work the other day. Her son recently celebrated his first birthday at the Activity Fun center at Tiendesitas and we were comparing notes how the party was a smashing success. Out of the blue, she asked me:

“just a thought… do you ever regret having to work and having less time with your kids??
if you had a choice would you want to be a full time mom?

I didn’t batt an eyelash and replied:

of course! i think about it all the time, lalo na nung nagbakasyon si caren last week and I was forced to take a leave from office. as in mas maganda disposition ng mga bata, lalo na si mato (grouch kasi un sa umaga). mas cheerful sya pag papasok tapos paghatid sundo ko, iba smile nya ganun. si martha mas receptive sa learning, pero buti na din iba personality nya marami sya nagiging friends at masarap alagaan so ung mga tita ko sa compound love na love sya natuturuan pa.

next year when we move to amadeo im going to stop working and work from my blog earnings. simple life lang talaga nga lang. bahala na si batman

Who would not want to focus on their kids and stay at home diba? I know, iba pa din pag mommies ang nag-alaga and nakatutok with the kids. However, I feel that working moms go through the same pressure and hassle. They strive to make a living to augment whatever income their husbands have. They work and strive to make a place in their career, and yet when they come home, they are expected to be everything for the kids as well. I have experienced it firsthand. I bring home the bacon, and yet I still teach my son when he goes home, take the kids to bed, take care of their hygiene, etc. It is hard.

But sometimes, we have no choice. We live in a dog eat dog world and if by chance the husband’s income isn’t enough, the wife needs to support the family as well. I have to admit though that the few days I was at home being everything for the house - nawindang ako. I was literally in charge of everything since we had no househelp. (And then I get to see what SAHMs in the US really do, and get to have an understanding why most moms there expect to have a break and be free from their kids once they reach 18). With us here, it is different. Yayas can be affordable, and while the quality of them is still scarce, we can get househelp. It’s that simple.

Do I regret not being able to be there for my kids because I work? Yes, in a way. I think all working moms will have that guilt. Do I think my kids are suffering because of it? No. Because as I’ve said, it is all about balance. I can be there all the time but shout at them or keep them distracted so I can go about my own business. If given a chance, will I give up everything to be at home?

That is hard. I have built my career in five years and I feel I have so much promise. I also feel being at work is my free time away from home. But yes, if given the chance, if my kids are secure, I will.

But not everybody has that choice. And my heart and admiration goes out to the working moms who still can take care and nourish their children well. And I salute all SAHMs for making the choice to be there for their kids, and making mommyhood their career - it is hard. You can lose your identity, sacrifice personal happiness and achievement, but such is the greatness of a mother’s love

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